November 2, 2004 - The city of Knoxville is partnering with radio station B-97.5, Keep Knoxville Beautiful and local recycling companies to host an "Election Collection" recycling event on Thursday, Nov. 4.

Residents are encouraged to bring campaign signs to Lakeshore Park from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. where they will be collected, sorted and transported to recycling companies. Both plastic and cardboard signs will be accepted.

B-97.5 will broadcast its morning show from Lakeshore Park, where volunteers with Keep Knoxville Beautiful will separate and sort the signs on-site. The city will transport the materials to Rock-Tenn and Advanced Polymer Recycling, which has agreed to accept the materials free of charge.

"The Election Collection event on Thursday morning is a convenient
and free way to dispose of campaign signs, beautify the city's neighborhoods,
and help the environment by keeping these signs out of the landfill,"
Mayor Bill Haslam said. "I appreciate the support of our partners
in making this event possible."

"So much time and effort goes into putting up signage for political candidates but little time goes into picking them up in a timely manner and taking them to an appropriate disposal site," said Mike Blakemore, program director for B-97.5. "The Election Collection hopes to capitalize on the record turnout and focus our energy on keeping the Knoxville area beautiful."

After Thursday morning and until Nov. 10, residents may take signs to Advance Polymer Recycling facility at 200 West Springdale Ave. Cardboard campaign signs can be placed in the mixed paper bins at City of Knoxville Drop-Off Recycling Centers. No metal frames or plastic signs can be accepted at the drop-off centers.